Francesco PAPPALARDO

Francesco Pappalardo's Curriculum Vitae - Updated July, 10^th 2019

TRAINING

Francesco Pappalardo was born in Catania on March 11^st 1975. He graduated in Computer Science with summa cum laude in 2000 from the University of Catania, and after graduating in 2004 he received the PhD in Computer Science. From 2004 to 2011 he was a research fellow at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Catania. In 2006 he was a visiting researcher at Molecular Immunogenetics Labs, IMGT in Montpellier (France), while in 2008 he was a visiting researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston (USA).

Currently Francesco Pappalardo is Full Professor of Computer Science at the Department of DrugSciences, University of Catania, where he is also Deputy Director of the Department. He is also, since 2021, adjunct professor at Boston University and Health Informatics Research Lab, Computer Science Department and adjunct professor at Menzied Health Institute at Griffith University, Australia

INSTITUTIONAL DUTIES

• Director of the COMBINE Research Group (www.combine-group.org).
• Effective component of the Working Group: "Pathways to the adoption of In Silico Medicine", 2019-2022, Ministry of Health, Superior Health Council - Section I.
• Deputy Director of the Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania
• Member of the Faculty Board of the International Doctorate in Basic and Applied Biomedical Science.
• Deputy Director of the Research Center for the Study and Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer (CRS PreDiCT).
• Professor of Computer Science for the School of Specialization in Hospital Pharmacy, University of Catania.
• Professor of Computer Science for the School of Specialization in Microbiology and Virology, University of Catania.

Prof. Francesco Pappalardo currently, moreover, holds the following positions:

• Expert Evaluator for the European Commission funded Framework Programs.
• Evaluator for The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), PRIDE funding.
• Evaluator for The William Harvey International Translational Research Academy.
• Evaluator for the Institute for Advanced Study of the University of Strasbourg (USIAS)
• Reviewer for the Evaluation of projects on behalf of the Ministry of Education, University and Research.

 TEACHING ACTIVITY

Francesco Pappalardo teaches Computer Science at the CdLM in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, at the Degree Course in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and at the Degree Course in Biotechnology at the University of Catania. He has been a supervisor of experimental thesis, Tutor of PhD thesis. He was a member of the commission for obtaining the PhD degree in various Italian and foreign universities.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Francesco Pappalardo's research activity focuses on the application of computational models in the field of biomedicine. He is one of the pioneers of in silico clinical trials, where he currently also deals with regulatory aspects with European authorities.

He has published over 100 articles in international journals and conferences. He serves the scientific community as president and member of the program commissions for prestigious international conferences and is a member of editorial committees for the major bioinformatics magazines.

RESEARCH PROJECTS (SELECTION)

• Scientific Coordinator of the STriTuVaD Project, European Commission Project (RIA: Horizon 2020 - H2020-SC1-2017-CNECT-2, CONTRACT No 777123).
• Member of the Board of IMMUNOGRID, European Commission Project (STREP: FP6-2004-IST-4, CONTRACT No 028069).
• Scientific Responsible for the MUSS (Sustainable and Safe Urban and Urban Mobility) project - 2008 Call for Proposals for Research and Development Programs - Strategic Action for Industrial Mobility Innovation, funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and the European Union. (September 2012 - March 2013).
• Member of PI2S2, Project for the Implementation and Development of an e-Infrastructure in Sicily based on the Grid paradigm, PON project.
• Consultant to the VAIMA project: Evaluation of Immunostimulant Activities of Bioactive Molecules Extracted from Citrus Fruits, REGIONAL DEPARTMENT OF PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES, P.O. ERDF 2007/2013 - Axis IV - Measure 4.1.1.1- Public notice D.D.G. n. 1703 of 18/06/2010.
• DETECH Project Participant: 2008 Competition - INDUSTRY 2015 - New Technologies for Made in Italy. Funded by the Ministry of Economic Development.
• Participant in the PON03PE 00216 Project - Telemedicine, Environment and Health (TAS) and Ion Gantry for Handrontherapy (IGH).

He also holds several projects funded by pharmaceutical companies